About the MRCS Part B OSCE exam
What is the MRCS Part B OSCE?
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) Part B is the second of two intercollegiate MRCS exams run by the Royal College of Surgeons in Great Britain and Ireland. The MRCS examination determines whether a trainee has acquired the appropriate skills, knowledge and attributes to progress to higher specialist training in surgery.
The MRCS Part B is an objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) and tests anatomy and surgical pathology, applied surgical science and critical care, clinical and procedural skills and communication skills.
MRCS Part B Exam Format
The MRCS Part B OSCE consists of 18 examination stations, each 9 minutes’ duration and ‘manned’ by one or two examiners. The MRCS Part B stations are divided into 4 broad content areas (BCAs) grouped together and collectively known as 'Applied Knowledge' and 'Applied Skills'.
'Applied Knowledge' (8 stations = 160 marks) includes: Anatomy and surgical pathology (5 stations) and Applied surgical science and critical care (3 stations).
'Applied Skills' (10 stations = 200 marks) includes: Clinical and Procedural Skills (6 stations) and Communication skills (4 stations) which breaks down further into Giving and receiving information and History Taking.
MRCS Part B Revision
Although Part B is a clinical examination, theoretical knowledge is still being tested. The Pastest resource seamlessly integrates the station experience into one resource for MRCS Part B preparation.
Each station contains MRCS Part B questions and additional resources such as anatomy videos, images, exam scenarios, and station summaries, all designed to prepare you for the four BCAs.
Read our MRCS Part B blog for more information about why we updated our MRCS Part B Qbank to more closely reflect the real exam.
MRCS Part B Exam Sittings
In the UK and Ireland, there are three exam sittings or 'diets'. MRCS Part B exam dates vary between UK and Ireland exams, and International exams. For a full list of MRCS Part B OSCE dates, and to book the exam, see the Royal College of Surgeons website.
